Holdaway 2 Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 (edited) Hi all. Any one have a preference for the trap doors inside the cage or out, and if so why? I am gonna build my own cage traps using 1 inch galvanised mesh, not sure of the gauge yet though. Mostly for squirrels, it will be 7X7 sides and 18 inches long at most. I think for the trip set up I envisage, it will have an internal door with external spring. Any suggestions would be useful, including dimensions. H Edited March 26, 2008 by Holdaway Link to post Share on other sites
bullsmilk 2 Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 id say external mate as then at worst the sprung door will force the quary into the trap .if its internal it may end up pushing them out Link to post Share on other sites
john b 38 Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 well it all depends. Inside is simpler but the cage has to be longer with the treadle far enough back to make sure the animal is in before the door drops. (common fault on cheap fox traps) External needs a locking bar - bit harded to make. Something like this Link to post Share on other sites
Holdaway 2 Posted March 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 (edited) well it all depends. Inside is simpler but the cage has to be longer with the treadle far enough back to make sure the animal is in before the door drops. (common fault on cheap fox traps) External needs a locking bar - bit harded to make. Something like this Yep I see. It would be a bit more work but might be worth it. I will probably build both and test them. At 18 inches long, the treadle would be about 6 or 7 inches from the back of the cage, allowing plenty of room for bait on the internal. External trigger might be more work too. Thanks for all the comments though guys, the more info the better! Does anyone actually have any plans for one of these traps? H Edited March 26, 2008 by Holdaway Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ditch_Shitter Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 Does anyone actually have any plans for one of these traps? Look under the Trap Design Sub Forum for my MAFF Mink Trap Blue Print. Link to post Share on other sites
leegreen 2,219 Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 Internal door. Link to post Share on other sites
Holdaway 2 Posted March 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Well all, today is the day. Gonna make the cage today and take a few pics, but only with the mobile phone. Well at least I will when it stops pissing it down... Link to post Share on other sites
No messin 2 Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Neither in or out for me.. Link to post Share on other sites
Holdaway 2 Posted March 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Well its made. F*cked up big time though, made the trap opening 7X7 inches as I wanted, but forgot that the 1 inch mesh can't make an internal door of 7X7! Door is 6X6.5 with side bars to prevent outswing. Bodged it but it still works! Got some good clean bends to the corners too, using a piece of straight planking. (below) The gauge was too fine also, 16 gauge wire is VERY soft and was able to bend all wire joints using my fingers. I need thicker guage next time. A few bad photos below to show the thing in general. I used the mobile to take the pics so half are out of focus. I "found" a roll of 2 inch 16 gauge on my roost shoot tonight along with 4 inch plastic drain pipes and as much 2 by 1 strapping as I can get in two car loads... I feel some decent traps coming up.. BTW. My roost shoot accounted for 2 squirrels, 2 rooks, 2 pigeons, 1 magpie and 2 rabbits. I wing shot one rook in an oak from 60 yards and the magpies chased it up and down like there was no tomorrow. Decoy rook work for magpies? Or was it just because it was injured? Best to all H Leaving wire edges to join walls with Using thick plank to create folds Using flat of axe to remove rounding on edges nice clean crisp edges to corners Now to bend loose edges inside final wall to lock together Snip edges from remaining wire The door... Doh! :realmad: :oops: Treadle plate or pan, using wire mesh until I can get Zinc plate Very simple latch mechanism All done and already working overnight. Nice pair of Jays I've got my eyes on... H Link to post Share on other sites
Beef 2 Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Just got myself a roll of 3" mesh 45" high. Would 45" be long enough for a fox cage and any chance of someone putting up a closer picture or a design for the sliding door trap and the trigger mechanism?? Cheers folks. Need this ASAP as we have a fox taking lambs locally. Link to post Share on other sites
No messin 2 Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 My trap is 2ft x 2ft and 4 ft long, here's a pic of the trigger, the bait hangs on the string. Link to post Share on other sites
Beef 2 Posted March 28, 2008 Report Share Posted March 28, 2008 Thanks for that. Got you now. Even I might manage that. Have you had much success with it. I have another about 2ft square but have never managed a fox. Lots of other stuff though. A mate got a couple of cubs with it last year but that is all. Thanks a lot though. Beef (Fae gods country.) Link to post Share on other sites
Holdaway 2 Posted March 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Well I have made a couple of traps now, and found a way of not using springs to close the door. The door is free falling with a lock bar to stop it being pulled/pushed open by the incumbent. I made a double ender last night and got one of the pesky Jays that have been stealing my squirrel bait. I have posted a couple of pics below for your perusal. Tomorrow will be a much better trapping day! Is it possible to use a Jay in a similar fashion to a magpie call bird? I should imagine it is. If I get another, I might knock up a larson... Anyway, I have a couple of Jay wings for my fly tying now! Good hunting all H Link to post Share on other sites
Holdaway 2 Posted April 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2008 One of my traps was ruined this morning. I have made a double ended trap using 2 inch galvanized mesh, the one that caught the jay. I made it with an inside drop door with lock bar. I went to check the traps this morning and whatever was in it bent the door out completely, I mean completely! Whether I caught something incredibly strong, something opened it from the outside to get at whatever was in, or the mesh is too soft. Where can I get 1 inch galvanized mesh about 10 guage or even less for a decent price? I don't really care how heavy they are, but if they can contain a rabid rottweiler I will be happy. Bummed off H Link to post Share on other sites
darrren 414 Posted October 4, 2008 Report Share Posted October 4, 2008 can you elaborate on how you make the door and locking mechanism???cheers mate Link to post Share on other sites
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